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2012 Tribeca Film Festival Preview

By David Kempler

Starting on April 18th and running through the 29th, you've got a chance to attend the Tribeca Film Festival, assuming you are in hailing distance of Manahttan. It is your good fortune that I will be seeing and reviewing many of the films before they are shown at the festival, so you will have an inkling of what to see and what to avoid.

I have seen nine of the films already and if these nine are indicative of the quality of this year's festival, it is light years ahead of the previous years. Out of this first grouping, one will definitely be on my Top Ten list of 2012, and I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up in the top half of those ten.

In-depth reviews of all nine I've seen so far plus many more will appear here once they are released. In the meantime, here are two to definitely watch for:

"Side By Side" - Documentary examines the introduction and influence of digital technology in the filmmaking industry. Keanu Reeves conducts interviews with some of the biggest directors around and also chats up many of the technical giants of the industry, including George Lucas, who has been at the forefront of the movement.

"Death of a Superhero" - Despite a title almost as bad as "The Shawshank Redemption", this one is a total winner. It chronicles the life of a teenager in England who has been terminally diagnosed with cancer. The kid is a talented artist and the mixing of animation and live action is handled seamlessly. A thoroughly rewarding experience.